Not-A-Pundit: The Renaissance

US Threatens Series Of UN Sanctions Against Iran On Nuclear Program February 5, 2007

WASHINGTON (AP)–The State Department said Monday it will push for “incremental” U.N. Security Council sanctions against Iran if Tehran authorities continue to ignore council demands for suspension of the country’s uranium enrichment program.

Spokesman Sean McCormack said that Iran appears to be continuing “down the path of isolation” by its recent announcement on stepped up installation of cascades.

Tehran already has cascades of 164 centrifuges installed above ground at Natanz and has announced plans to operate 3,000 centrifuges below ground there, enabling it to speed up production of nuclear fuel.

Also on Iran, McCormack suggested that the country has been exaggerating the significance of an investment agreement signed recently by Royal Dutch Shell PLC (RDSB.LN) and Repsol YPF (REP) with Iran.

He noted that Shell has issued a statement indicating that the agreement is “exploratory” in nature.

He said the companies could be subject to U.S. sanctions if they violate a law designed to discourage energy-related investments in Iran.